Smoke
by Acustica Audio · Channel Strip · Tube channel strip suite
Not rated yet
Smoke models vintage US tube gear from the late 1950s on, with a stereo EQ, a tube compression amplifier and a combined strip.
KVR lists it at €149 (about $169.19).
Best for: Vocals, Bass, Guitars, Keys & Synths, Mix Bus. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: tube, vintage, 50s, bass, vocals, 60s, hardware emulation, keys, 70s, broadcast, bus processing, classic, colored, dual-mono, full mix, gentle, mix bus, mixing, warm.
What it does
Smoke is an Acustica Audio suite of three plugins built from sampled vintage American tube gear. The developer aims for the "classic quality that dominated the airwaves in the 1960's".
- Smoke Stereo EQ: a 4-band, fully parametric EQ with high- and low-pass filters, based on US-made units from the 1960s and 70s.
- Preamp section: five mono line and five mono mic preamp emulations, plus five custom mono-to-stereo preamps, so you can add color before or without EQ.
- Smoke Comp: an emulation of a 1950s tube compression amplifier, which the developer calls a stalwart of early broadcast and recording studios.
- Smoke Strip: the full chain in one plugin: dual-mono 4-band parametric EQ with filters, the same preamp section, and the tube compressor.
KVR lists version 2.3.5. The pages read did not give trial details.
Source: Acustica Audio product page
When to use it
Smoke goes the other way from most rated channel strips, which model solid-state consoles: API Vision Channel Strip Collection and bx_console SSL 4000 E are about fast, punchy console tone, and PSP InfiniStrip is a flexible modular strip. Smoke has tube preamps and a slow, vintage tube compressor from the 1950s. It is less about precise surgery than about adding warmth and body, and it offers the EQ, preamps and compressor separately or together in Smoke Strip. Pick it when you want an old American tube flavour in one plugin rather than a console sound.
- Best for: warm tube color and gentle compression on vocals, bass, keys and acoustic instruments.
- Genres: any; suits soul, jazz, vintage pop and retro-styled productions.
- Look elsewhere if: you want fast, punchy console compression or a gate on every channel; bx_console SSL 4000 E or API Vision fit better.
Where to buy
- Acustica Audio: $169.19 (€149 converted to USD (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026); price as listed on KVR)
Tutorials and reviews
- Acustica Audio's Smoke Review! Tube compression and Pultec style EQ for your mixing and mastering.
- Acustica Audio⎮SMOKE - DEMO On DrumKit And Piano
- Mixorcist Episode 40: Acustica Audio Smoke
- Acustica Audio SMOKE: Auténtico sonido VALVULAR
- ACUSTICA AUDIO SMOKE, Mezclando Batería (Mixing Drums) QUE BIEN SUENA!!!
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